'Jailed AIADMK leader dies due to denial of medical treatment'

Chennai, June 9 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today alleged that a party functionary, one of those imprisoned after their agitation on June 7, died of heart attack this morning after he was denied medical treatment in the prison.

In a statement here, she said Mr M Sugumar, Salem MGR Mandram Joint Secretary, developed chest pain when he was imprisoned in the Salem Central Prison last night and died of heart attack early today after he was denied treatment.

She said fellow partymen had pleaded with the prison authorities to rush Mr Sugumar to a hospital after he complained of severe chest pain, but the authorities refused permission and denied him medical attention.

Conveying her condolences, Ms Jayalalithaa announced a solatium of Rs 50,000 to the bereaved family on behalf of the party.

Condemning the DMK Government for denying basic facilities to the arrested partymen, she said that in some of the prisons, not even drinking water was provided to the AIADMK workers. The partymen were treated in an inhuman manner, she alleged.

UNI